A week and a half after Hurricane Matthew struck the Southeast Coast with gale-force winds and torrential rains, thousands are dealing with its fallout as record-breaking floods spread over eastern North Carolina, the most severely affected state.The damage toll continues to rise and is currently estimated at around $1.5 billion, affecting 100,000 homes, businesses, and public buildings. Twenty-six people have lost their lives, and the lack of clean water has created a dire public health emergency for thousands of North Carolinians who could not evacuate their towns.

Those who have been hit the hardest by this creeping disaster are mainly low-income communities in the state’s southeast region, a low-lying area between several major rivers. Zakat Foundation of America (ZF) is concentrating its relief operations one such community, Lumberton, which has been all but submerged in the rising waters. Fresh food has been catered or prepared for over 700 people, and hundreds have received clean clothing and hygiene kits, which are desperately needed for residents who were forced to flee their homes and leave their possessions behind. Thousands have also received safe drinking water – an especially urgent need to be fulfilled as the community has been informed by authorities that public water services will not be restored until the end of the month.

ZF and its partners in the local Muslim community are digging in to serve the imperiled citizens of North Carolina in their hour of need, and will steadfastly remain as long as such need persists. For serving everyone, regardless of background or belief, is the essence of ZF’s vision of humanitarian stewardship, both in the United States and abroad. ZF’s operation has already received attention from the local news media in Lumberton, which is viewable here.

Please give today to help us keep hope alive in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.

Please Note: In line with ZF’s policy, no overhead costs will be deducted from funds raised for this emergency relief effort. Any funds raised in excess of the amount needed for this effort will be redirected to where the need is greatest.